Container



June 7, 1949. M. WILLIAMSON CONTAINER Filed Oct. 23, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MW UW W lun A TTORNEY June 7, 1949. M. I. WILLIAMSON 2,472,183

CONTAINER Filed Oct. 23, 1.945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

WQ'UMW A TTOR/Vfl Patented June 7, 189

CONTAINER Marshall I. Williamson, New Haven, Conn., as-

' -"ilgnor, by mesne assignments, to National Foldin: Box Company, Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut Application October 23, 1945, Serial No. 623,917

- 6 Claims.

This invention provides a carton of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material particularly suited for the packaging of merchandise which the customer may desire to inspect as well as examine with the hands, such as sheets. pillow cases, towels andother types of linens. or blankets and similar articles. The invention provides a carton for the protective and decorative packaging of such articles permitting visual and feel examination without removal of the contents from the carton.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention an inspection window or aperture is provided extending partially into one end panel and the adjoining side panel. This aperture may be closed by a hinged flap whose circumferential cut lines form the aperture and covered by an end panel arrangement which may be opened and reclosed at will. When the end panel arrangement is opened the inspection window permits access to the contents and visual as well as feel examination of the contents while the contents are still in the carton. If desired, it is possible to seal the inner end panel into whose body the inspection aperture extends so that removal of the contents from the carton is not possible without cutting or tearing the carton open, while at all times the carton may be partially opened and reclosed to permit inspection of its contents.

The various objects, features'and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the detailed description which follows accompanied by drawings, showing, for the purpose of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention also consists in certain new and briginal features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the characteristic features of the in vention which are believed to be novel will be particularly pointed out in'the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a carton embodying the invention may be formed, the inside surface of the blank facing the observer;

Fig. 2 shows a hollow empty carton formed from the blank of Fig. 1, the bottom structure of the. carton being closed, the top structure being in the process of closing;

Fig. 3 shows the cartonof Fig. 4 shows the carton of Fig. 3 after opening In the followingdescription and in the claims.

various details will be identified by specific.

names for convenience. These names, however,

are intended to be as generic in their applicationas the art will permit. Like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for the purpose of explanation, but it is understood that details may be modified in various respect without departure from the broad aspects of the invention. The blank A shown in Fig. 1 is substantially rectangular in outline resulting in a minimum of waste of material. The blank may be cut and scored from a large sheet or roll of paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material on automatic cutting and creasing machines. Only one side of the blankneed be decoratlvely finished or imprinted, since only one surface of the blank is presented as the outside surface of the assembled carton.

Fig. 1 shows the blank A in a position in which the inside surface faces the observer. The blank comprises enclosing side wall panels Ii, l2, l3 and Il hingedly connected along side fold lines l5, l6 and II. A terminal glue fiap i8 is hingedly connected to the outermost side wall panel ll of the blank along a fold line is. The ends of the side wall panels are defined by end fold lines 20 and 2| extending at right angles with respect to the side fold lines.

The bottom end structure of the cartons embodying the present invention is entirely optional and may assume any of the various conventional forms. In the illustrated embodiment,

the bottom end structure comprises bottom end panels 22 and 23 hingedly connected to the side walls I! and it along the bottom fold lines 2! and bottom side panels 2| and 25 hingedly connected to the wall panels II and II. The bottom panels have a somewhat complex configuration to permit instantaneous interlocking upon assembly as will be described hereinafter. Since, however, the form and the interlocking feature of the bottom panels are conventional, no de- Figil fully closed; tailed description is required of the configura- 3 tion of the bottom panels in addition to the illustration in the drawings.

The opposite or top end of the carton is formed by a number of panels including an inner end panel 28 hingedly connected to the side panel I 2 along the fold line 28. Cut lines 21,

23 and 23 extend across the body of the inner end panel 28 and the side wall I2 and define a flap 30 hinged to the remainder of the inner end panel 28 along a fold line 3|. The flap is subdivided into two portions by the fold line 20 running across it and may be folded with respect to the remainder of the blank to expose an inspection aperture defined by the lines 21, 28, 29 and 3|. A tuck flap 22 is hingedly connected to the end of the inner end panelalong a fold line 33. Top side flaps or panels 34 and 88 are hingedly connected to the side walls II and I3 respectively along the top fold line 20.

An outer end panel 38 is hingedly connected to the side wall panel ll along the top end fold line 23 and has'connected thereto an end flap 31 along a fold line 28. The width of the end flap 31 is greater than the width of the inspection window, that is, the distance between the cut lines 21 and 29. It is slightly narrower than the total length of the out line 28 extending beyond the juncture with the cut lines 21 and 29 to provide a tuck-in slit for the end flap 31, as will appear from the following description describing the assembly and use of the carton.

In the assembly of the carton adhesive 0. is first applied to the underside of the terminal glue flap i8 and the blank is then folded about the fold line I 1 so that the side panel I 4 overlies-the side panel l3 and a portion of the side panel l2. The blank is then folded about the fold line I5 to bring the side panel it over and into adhesive engagement .with .the terminal glue flap l8. Thus folded and glued theblank forms a flat collapsed tubular structure which may be stored and shipped in flat condition requiring a minimum of space and may be expanded and completed into hollow carton form as needed by the packer or manufacturer.

After expansion of the blank into hollow tubular form the bottom structure of the carton is first assembled. This isdone by first infolding the bottom end panel 22, folding of the bottom side panels 24 and 25 thereover and finally folding the bottom end panel 23 over the three previously folded'bottom panels. The bottom end panel 23 is then pressed inwardly beyond the position which it assumes in the finished carton causing its tongue to slide and snap bev neath the cut out notched portion of the bottom end panel 22 whereafter the folding pressure may be released, permitting the panels toreturn to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 in which they are securely interlocked forming a closed bottom end for-the carton,

The carton may then be filled with merchandise, for example, linen, the folding of the linen being preferably such that a single thickness of the material lies directly underneath the inspection window so that it may be examined conveniently by the customer.

After insertion of the contents the top side flaps 34 and 35 are infolded and the inner end panel brought into contents retaining position by insertion of the tuck flap 32 which is frictionally held between the inner surface of the side wall panel I! and the tapered edges of the top side flaps 3i and 3!. Adhesive may be applied to the tuck flap 32 to attach the tuck flap adhesively to the inner surface of the side wall panel 14 when it is desired to close the carton to prevent removal of its contents while yet permitting the examination of the contents.

The closing of the carton is completed by folding the outer end panel 36 over the inner end panel 26 and insertion of the end flap 31 through the slit 28 in which it is frictionally held.

Thus closed, thefllled carton as shown in vFig. 3 may be shipped or presented to the ultimate customer. If an inspection of the contents is desired, the' carton top is partially opened by withdrawing the end flap 31 from the slit 2i!- and folding the outer end panel 33 into the position shown in Fig. 4 exposing an inspection window. The inspection window may be opened by folding the flap about its fold line 3|, as shown in Fig. 4, exposing the. contents C underneath the window. The contents may then be inspected or examined by hand while still in the carton. After examination, the carton may be reclosed simply by folding the flap 30 back into window closing position and by folding the outer end panel 36 and inserting the end flap 31 through the'slit 28 as shown in Fig. 3.

It is of course not necessary to leave the flap 30 for manipulation by the customer. It may be tucked away during the filling and first closure of the carton as shown in Fig. 5. For this purpose it is advantageous to arrange the fold line 3| of the flap half way between the fold lines 20 and 33 so that in the tucked away position the end of the flap overlies the wall panel i4 and the tuck flap 32, the portion of the fold line 20 which extends across the-window flap 30 lying next to the fold line 33. This position is illustrated in Fig. 5. In this arrangement the inspection window is closed and covered by the outer end wall panel 36 and its end flap 31. The closed or reclosed carton is identical in appearance with the carton shown in Fig. 3.

Thus an extremely attractive and practical carton is provided which has a wide range of uses not only. for packaging fabrics but also in other fields. It'is, for example, extremely practical as a dispensing carton for tissues or paper napkins in which event the window is made somewhat wider than shown in the accompanying drawing to permit convenient withdrawal of the contents, one by one, through the window. Other uses readily suggest themselves.

It is of course not indispensible that all the illustrated details of construction be incorporated in the cartons according to this invention. Other orms of bottom structures may be employed which may be closed either by foldin tucking or sealconstruction avoids. The outline of the blank .skilled in the art. These various changes, modificatlons, omissions, additions and substitutions may be made without departure from the basic aspects of this invention.

the flap an inspection aperture extending across said fold line; side flaps hingedly connected to side walls adjoining said one side wall; means for securing said inner end panel in carton contents retaining position; an outer end panel hingedly connected to a second side wall opposite said one side wall; an end flap, wider than said aperture, hingedly connected to said outer end panel, ,said outer end panel and said end flap being adapted to overlie and cover said inspection aperture, said one side wall having a slit therein extending substantially from the end edge of said cut flap, said end flap being insertable through said slit to maintain said outer end panel and end flap in aperture covering position, said slit extending beyond the width of said out flap.

2. A folding box or carton comprising enclosing side walls, and panels forming end walls, one of said end walls comprising an inner end panel hingedly coiiiected to one of the side walls v along a fold line, said inner end panel and said one side wall having a flap cut therefrom hinged to saidinner end panel providing upon folding of the flap an inspection aperture extending across said fold line; side flaps hingedly connected to side walls adjoining said one side wall; a tuck flap hingedly connected to said inner end panel for maintaining said inner end panel in carton contents retaining position; an outer end panel hingedly connected to a second side wall opposite said one side wall; an end flap, wider than said aperture. hingedly connected to said outer end panel, said outer end panel and said end flap being adapted to overlie and cover said inspection aperture, said one side wall having a slit therein extending substantially from the end edge of said cut flap beyond the width of said out flap, said end flap being insertable through said slit to maintain said outer end panel and end flap in aperture covering position.

3. A reclosable end structure for a carton having four side walls to permit visual andfeel inspection of the carton contents without removal from the carton, the end structure comprising, an inner end panel hingedly connected to oneside wall along a fold line; an outer end. panel hingedly connected to the side wall opposite said one side wall; side flaps hingedly connected to the remaining side walls; a tuck flap hingedly connected to said inner end panel and adapted to be tucked between the edges of said side flaps and said opposite side wall to maintain said inner end panel in carton contents retaining position; an inspection flap hingedly connected to said inner end panel, said inspection flap being cut from the body of said inner end panel and of the said one side wall, said inspection flap comprising panel and the end flap are maintained in inspection aperture covering reclosable position, said slit forming part of the cut severing said inspection flap from the body of said one side wall and extending beyond the width of said inspection flap.

4. A reclosable end structure for a carton having, four side walls to permit visual, and feel inspection of the carton contents without removal from the carton, the end structure comprising,

an inner end panel hingedly connected to one side wall along a fold line; an outer end panel hingedly connected to the side wall opposite said one side wall; means for maintaining said inner end panel in carton contents retaining position; an inspection flap hingedly connected to said inner end panel said inspection flap being cut from the body of inner end panel and of the said one side wall, said inspection flap being foldable to expose an inspection aperture in said inner end panel and said one side wall through which the carton contents may be examined; an end flap hingedly connected to said outer end panel, said end flap being wider than said inspection flap, said one side wall having a, slit therein adapted to receive said end flap in tucked-in relationship, whereby the outer end panel and the end flap are maintained in inspection aperture covering reclosable position, said slit forming part of the cut severing said inspection flap from the body of said one side wall and extending beyond the width of said inspection flap.

5. A blank, more particularly for a reclosable carton permitting visual and feel inspection of its contents, the blank comprising, hingedly connected side wall panels, panels for forming one end wall, and means for forming the other end wall, said means comprising an'inner end panel hingedly connected to one side wall panel; a tuck flap hingedly connected to said inner end panel; an'outer end panel hingedly connected to another side panel; an end tuck flap hingedly connected to said outer end panel; and a flap cut from the body of said inner end panel and said one side wall, said out flap having a hinged connection with said inner end panel, one of the cut lines severing said out flap from the body of said one side wall being extended beyond the width of said out flap to permit insertion of said tuck flap into the slit formed by said extended cut line.

6. A blank, more particularly for a reclosable carton permitting visual and feel inspection of its contents, the blank comprising, side wall panels hingedly connected along side fold lines,

a securing flap hingedly connected to an outermost side wall panel of the blank along a side fold line; bottom flaps hingedly connected to one end of certain of said side wall panels along bottom fold lines; an inner top panel hingedly connected to the other end of one of said side wall panels along a top fold line; an extension flap hingedly two hinged portions of such length as to be fold ableback upon said inner end panel and the opposite side wall to expose an inspection aperture in said inner end panel and said one side wall through which the carton contents may be examined; an end flap hingedly connected to said 1 connected to said inner top panel along a fold line parallel to said top fold line; a flap cut from the body of said inner top panel and of the side wall panel to which the inner top panel is hinged, the flap having a hinged connection with said inner top panel; an outer top panel hingedly connected to another side panel along a. top fold line; and an end flap hingedly connected to said outer top'panel along a fold line parallel to said last named top fold line, the side wall panel to which the inner top panel is hinged having a slit therein for frictionally receiving said end flap, said slit forming a. portien of the cut severing said out flap from the body of said side wall panel.

MARSHALL I. WILLIAMSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED B'IA'IIS PATENTS Number Name 1 Date Smith Jan. 15, 1918 Reed Jan. 13, 1925 Haberman Apr. 2, 1929 Albert Feb. 3, 1931 Ferwon June 8, 1943 

